Onondaga County’s efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus through vaccination efforts and testing appears to be working. During the County’s daily COVID briefing on Monday, 28 new cases were reported and nearly 150 cases over the weekend. Sadly two elderly people died.
County Executive Ryan McMahon says when pairing Monday’s test results at schools and the Oncenter and recent testing at NBT Bank Stadium, we’re heading in the right direction.
“You’re talking over 1,700 asymptomatic tests and a positive rate 0.1. So, that’s a really good sign the virus is kinda becoming symptomatic spread and we know where it is and we think we have the tools to give this thing a knockout blow.”
McMahon adds that 4 out of the last 6 to 7 days, the local daily positivity rate for the virus is lower than the 7 day rolling average. It’s now at 0.9 percent… down from 1.4 percent a week ago. McMahon says his team is anticipating they could become busier at clinics soon if eligibility opens up for those 12 to 15 years of age.
“But, a lot of these younger age cases that we have are household siblings. I think with some of these demos that we still get cases in, obviously these folks aren’t really vaccinated.”
He estimates about 250,000 local residents have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The County Health Department will now begin another round of community pop-up clinics. This Friday there will be a clinic for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at Onondaga Lake Park. Anyone at the clinics will receive a vaccine incentive card good for deals at 18 restaurants and drinking establishments. For more information about vaccines and clinics click here.
